Open Air Star Wars and more this summer

This summer, the British Film Institute (BFI) in partnership with The Luna Cinema, will present a season of screenings of the nation’s best-loved sci-fi films, including the first ever UK open air screenings of the original Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).

Fans of George Lucas’ cinematic classics will be offered the chance to be the first to see the re-mastered, original Star Wars films under the stars on a giant screen with state of the art sound and visuals, set against the incredible backdrops of Hampton Court Palace and Hatfield House, Hertfordshire. Launching on August 3rd at Hampton Court, the iconic films will be screened in order, one per evening for three nights, followed on Saturday 6th August by a family day, with activities for younger fans to take part in, before a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope.

In addition to the Star Wars titles, the BFI and Luna will present a specially curated series of events as part of their “Sci-fi Under the Stars” season, which will include screenings of many of the most iconic science fiction films ever made, all presented at incredible outdoor locations. These include Aliens (1986) at Greenwich Park, Back To The Future (1985) at Tonbridge Castle, and The Matrix (1999) at Victoria Tower Gardens, next to the Houses of Parliament, with the big screen backing on to the Victoria Tower. Other titles in the season will include Blade Runner (1982) at Opera Holland Park and Inception (2010) at Victoria Embankment Gardens.

Edward Humphrey, Director of Digital at the BFI, said: “We are delighted to be bringing together a collection of timeless classics for our 2016 Outdoor Summer Season. With the Star Wars franchise more popular than ever it’s a great time to revisit where it all began, bringing audiences young and old together in fantastic, family friendly locations. With support from Lucasfilm and our event partners The Luna Cinema it’s a great privilege to screen the original Star Wars trilogy and the newest film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens in magnificent outdoor settings for the very first time in the UK. We look forward to welcoming film fans new and old to our collection of unique and seasonal events.”

George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema, said: “For years I’ve dreamt of screening Star Wars films, so we are particularly excited to be working with the BFI and Lucasfilm to deliver the very first open air screenings of some of the most important films ever made. Now Star Wars fans can immerse themselves in a galaxy far, far away at an outdoor screen near to them. The fact that they will be the centrepiece of a season of classic films under the stars makes it all the more special for fans. There’s always something magical about watching film outdoors against a star-lit sky, but this is all the more true when the films are so suited to this unique backdrop!”

As with all BFI / Luna screenings, audiences are welcome to bring along picnics and drinks. However, all events will also have hot food for sale and a full bar on site, in partnership with headline bar sponsors Estrella Damm. Premium tickets are available at all screenings, which as standard include a director’s chair (in prime position in the arena), a drink at the Luna Bar, and a priority queuing lane at the bar.

For a full schedule, to book tickets, and for more information visit thelunacinema.com